A lot has been said about the man, the late Dr Olusola Saraki, the great leader and strong man of Kwara politics.

Aside being celebrated as a second republic senate leader, he was indeed a political gladiator of repute whose involvement in politics earned him appellations like ‘political colossus,  political land-rover, political caterpillar, political calculator, political stabiliser and astute political juggernaut'.

Aside these appellations, his concern and care for the less-privileged and the down trodden in the society led to his being referred to as the father of the fatherless, women empowerment instrument personified, helper of the helpless…to mention but a few.

The late Waziri of Ilorin, who was better known as and called Oloye in the political mainstream of Kwara and Nigeria, was indeed a selfless man, having spent most of his wealth on people and societal needs, in order to better the lives of the masses.

The number of prominent Nigerians and the massive turnout of the ordinary people at his burial clearly showcased the respect and recognition that Nigerians have for this patriarch of our time.

He was indeed an epitome of selflessness in terms of his concern for the people of Kwara State, especially the poor women. Having lived in Ilorin for over two decades, I can say without any contradiction that virtually every family in Kwara State had benefited from the generosity of Saraki directly or indirectly, and this includes non-natives alike.

From my understanding, I can say the only thing that the late Saraki benefited from his concern and support for the people of Kwara, was that he was able to give his children sound education which earned the family the honour of producing three distinguished senators, a governor, as well as two learned members of the bar.

And this was mentioned in one of the condolence messages where someone wrote that “Saraki should be smiling in death because most people came for the burial not just to witness the ceremony, but because they had come to see the other Saraki who takes over from Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki (CON)”.

Another major lesson that one must learn from the Saraki ‘school of politics' is that the late Saraki focused mainly on the masses and that was why his political authority was never shaken nor upturned by the so-called minority opponents.

Again, his style of politics and general caring attitude ensured that he was able to spread the dividends of democracy and human capital development (education) to Kwarans, thereby empowering several people who today, constitute the mainstream of Kwara politics and general governance (both educated and non-educated ones alike).

Saraki, was a man of peace who always preached peace and that is the testimony to the harmony and peaceful co-existence that is being witnessed in Kwara today despite the differences in religious, tribal and cultural backgrounds that make up the state Kwara.

Being a peaceful man, one always recalls that in the heat of political struggle and campaigns, Saraki would always say “Ema ba won ja” (meaning don't fight with anybody).

More so, a closer assessment or inventory of Saraki's wealth, in relation to his political and professional colleagues, clearly showed that he really lived a selfless life by distributing his wealth to the people.

Today, with what he had achieved by living a selfless life, one can categorically conclude that Saraki indeed lived a fulfilled life, better than those of his colleagues that amassed wealth around their family kinsmen.

In fact, to many of us who were eye witnesses to his style of generosity, Saraki was an excellent philanthropist. I was at the Ilorin International Airport when the remains of the late Saraki was brought aboard an Overland airplane. I was also at the Yidi Prayer ground where prayers were said for the repose of his soul. I was again, at his Iloffa residence, GRA, Ilorin where his remains were laid to rest and I was an eye witness at the Fidau prayer at the Ilorin Metropolitan Square to behold the way and manner people from all walks of life, cried and offered prayers for the late political icon for his generosity and selflessness.

Though he may have had his shortcomings as a human being, if God would grant the prayers of all the people who loved him, Saraki should be rewarded with Heaven (Aljanah fridaus).

My submission therefore, is that those who are now graduates of Saraki's ‘school of politics' should immortalise him by borrowing from his style of selfless leadership and ensure that they take special care of the masses he left behind as well.

Available reports say that the two chambers of the National Assembly have passed a resolution to rename the lIorin International Airport after him. The Kwara State House of Assembly has also passed a resolution renaming the Kwara State University after him, to be known as Abubakar Sola Saraki University (ASSU).

Above all, the death of Saraki should be used by the different political groups in Kwara to further cement their unity and come together to form a common front, for example, Saraki Unity Party (SUP), so as to keep the peace and co-existence that earned Kwara State, the sobriquet State of Harmony.

Ilorin and indeed Kwarans are known for prayers, so I enjoin all to let all the religious leaders use the death of this patriarch to pray for his family, the state and indeed Nigeria, so that God would send us politicians like the late Olusola Saraki.

Finally, the greatest thing the people of Ilorin and Kwara as a whole can do to appreciate Dr Olusola Saraki for all he had done for the state, is to embrace his scion, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki (CON), as the new leader of the Saraki dynasty as well as Kwara politics and governance, giving him the same unquantifiable support his late father enjoyed during his lifetime.

Chukwuemeka sent this piece from Ilorin.